Colorado Rapids forward Kevin Doyle goes for a header over Houston Dynamo defenders David Horst (18) and A.J. Cochran (16) during the second half of a game on Aug. 26, 2015, at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. (Brent Lewis, The Denver Post)

The Rapids will likely be without striker Kevin Doyle this weekend when they take on the Dynamo in Houston. Doyle missed Colorado’s 3-1 loss in Toronto last weekend with what was described as an adductor (thigh) injury.

Doyle was held out of training this week and did light jogging and work off to the side.

Coach Pablo Mastroeni said Tuesday the injury was expected to keep Doyle out of full-team training for about 10 days. That could put his availabilty in question for the decisive Rocky Mountain Cup match against Real Salt Lake on Oct. 4.

“The travel from here to Ireland and being there for a while, then traveling straight from Ireland, going to Vancouver, playing on the turf for a little bit, all that stuff adds up,” Mastroeni said Tuesday. “It’s all connected. I think (Doyle had) a bit of fatigue and he’d been playing quite a bit and playing really hard. All of those things added up.”

Rookie striker Dominique Badji was also said to have an adductor injury that kept him out of the Toronto match and training this week. Read more…

They’ve never faced each other before, but already it’s being billed as a rivalry.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC’s Aaron King scored the game winner at Rio Tinto Stadium to set up the first-ever match up between the Switchbacks and the Colorado Rapids. (Provided by the Colorado Springs Switchbacks)

The stage is set for the first-ever meeting between the Colorado Rapids and the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. They will meet in the fourth round of the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

The match between the state’s MLS and USL clubs will be played June 16 at 7 p.m. at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

Switchbacks FC punched their ticket to the fourth round by defeating USL Western Conference foe Real Monarchs 1-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, on Wednesday night, in a match that saw about a 90-minute weather delay at halftime.

The Rapids vs. Silverbacks U.S. Open Cup game was delayed by severe weather Tuesday, June 24, 2014. (Daniel Boniface, The Denver Post)

The Colorado Rapids could host Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC next month in the fourth round of the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

That matchup will happen if the Switchbacks can go on the road to Sandy, Utah, and defeat the Real Monarchs on May 27 at 7 p.m.

The Rapids were awarded a fourth round home match in the U.S. Open Cup draw on Thursday, and will host the winner of the third round match between the two USL sides. The Monarchs are the USL affiliate of rivals Real Salt Lake. Read more…

The Boulder pub-based amateur team won a penalty kick shootout 4-2 over the BYU Cougars of the Premier Development League (PDL) Wednesday night in Provo, Utah, to advance to the second round of the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

The match ended in a scoreless draw and after 30 minutes of extra time failed to produce a winner, the contest went into penalty kicks. Despite being outshot 24-12, Harpo’s FC emerged with the victory, thanks to a big save by goalkeeper Zac Gibbens on BYU’s second penalty kick attempt. BYU’s third penalty shot sailed wide. Meanwhile, Harpo’s FC were clinical from the spot, converting all four attempts in the win.

With the victory, Harpo’s FC advance to the second round of the annual single-elimination tournament where it will face Colorado Springs Switchback FC of the United Soccer League (USL) on May 20 at 7 p.m. at Sand Creek Stadium in Colorado Springs. The Switchbacks are a professional team in the third tier of soccer in the U.S. The team Harpo’s FC defeated, BYU Cougars, plays in the fourth-tier PDL, considered the top amateur level in the country. Read more…

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According to the report, the Charlotte Eagles of the USL Pro are moving down to the Premier Developmental League (PDL), after a group headed by pro lacrosse executive Jim McPhilliamy bought the USL Pro rights from the Eagles. A new Charlotte-based USL Pro club will be announced Wednesday and will share a stadium with the Charlotte Hounds, the ownership group’s Major League Lacrosse franchise.

The report in the Observer stated:

McPhilliamy said the USL Pro team is finalizing a deal to have an affiliate partnership with the MLS’ Colorado Rapids.

The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC took a giant step toward becoming a reality Thursday night, unveiling the club’s new logo in front of a capacity crowd at the Ivywild School Gymnasium.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC logo.

The Switchbacks new crest is blue, red and silver, and the elongated hexagonal shape and a sunburst behind the soccer ball take cues from the Colorado Springs flag. While the five red stripes at the bottom represent the city’s five military bases, the club said.

The top of the logo is dotted with a red cross fluery, which the club said represents the term “believe.” And if you look closely, you can even make out a large silver S around the border of the logo.